Memphis-based American Esoteric Laboratories, feeling the pressure of an increasingly difficult-to-navigate reimbursement environment, announced it has reduced its Memphis-based work force by 65 employees, or 10 percent. According to David L. Smalley, president at AEL, the “shifting health care reimbursement environment” forced the company to consolidate its local financial services division into that of its parent company, Sonic Healthcare USA. Affected employees were given severance packages and outplacement services, Smalley indicated in a statement e-mailed to MBJ. On a positive note, not all 65 employees have completely parted ways with the company. “Twelve of these employees have since been hired in new roles at American Esoteric Laboratories,” Smalley said. “Clients of American Esoteric Laboratories will continue to receive the same quality clinical laboratory services they have come to expect from our company across the Mid-South region.”